Mmmmmm Water!

You mean you don't say Mmmmm when you drink a cool, clear, refreshing glass of water? Mmmmm! I do! Especially on a hot day or after a hard workout. Most people tend to be sub-clinically but chronically dehydrated. Considering our bodies are about 70% water, when we are dehydrated, it is quite literally like a car running low on oil. The parts don't move as efficiently (fatigue, mental and physical sluggishness), there's increased friction (joints may get achey, headaches, dry skin, hair, eyes), and eventually it just won't go anymore (metabolism slows to a crawl leading to low energy, slowed digestion, constipation, a build up of toxins, and if it goes on long enough, weight gain).

But just as important to staying hydrated (quantity of water we consume through drinking and eating - and yes, 8 cups of water or non-caffeinated herbal tea is recommended on average, assuming you're also eating your fruits & veggies to make up your remaining bodily needs of about 12 cups per day), is QUALITY of water we take in.

Water that comes through our taps and into our kitchens and bathrooms has been treated in municipal treatment plants. There they filter out the majority of microorganisms (bacteria) that thrive in our contaminated water supply, as well as some heavy metals. However, in the process of disinfecting it, the water becomes polluted with chemicals such as chlorine (or in Toronto, chloramines). As well, many contaminants are not filtered out, including many heavy metals (some of which come through our own pipes), pesticides, and more often these days, pharmaceutical drugs and by-products that we as human beings excrete. It's kind of like breathing second-hand smoke: if I choose not to smoke - or to take birth control or anti-depressants - I do not want to effectively have that choice taken away from me simply by random exposure to it without my awareness.

These contaminants all have their effects, although it is very hard to prove that water is the "cause" since each glass/litre/gallon of water we take in has only minute amounts, it can take many years for the effects to be felt. And even then, every person will have their own unique tolerances and sensitivities dependent on their own genetics and other lifestyle factors that combine. However, given that our bodies are built to run on water, it is quite obvious that the quality is very important. While we can't control what is in the air we breathe (unless we choose to move to some remote wilderness haven), we can at least reduce the contaminants going into our bodies in the water and food we consume.

I've done some research on a variety of options and have come to the decision to endorse one product: Aquasana Canada. I like this company because it filters out everything you want it to filter out, while at the same time leaving in all the minerals that are so important to our health (unlike reverse osmosis systems). As well, they offer a very economical solution with a kitchen tap water filter running approximately $110, and a combination of kitchen filter and shower filter being approximately $170 (did you know you may in fact take in more contaminants through inhalation and absorption in the shower than you do in drinking water?). Since filters have to be replaced much less frequently, this system will cost you less per litre than a Brita or PUR water filter system. They are a Toronto-based affiliate of Aquasana, and their customer service is knowledgeable, professional, and prompt. Find out more about them here http://springrenual.ca/SpringRecommends.aspx

If you're interested in learning more about how all the different contaminants in our water supplies can affect our health, let me hear from you! I will be glad to answer any questions or even dedicate a blog post to the topic!